OREANDA-NEWS. Dundee has received a GBP 4.5m investment from two of the leading names in the energy business.

Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution (SSEPD) and sister company Scotland Gas Networks (SGN) strengthened their commitment to the city as they welcomed the Lord Provost of Dundee, Bob Duncan, to open their new base on Baird Avenue.

The GBP 4.5million facilities provide a state of the art home for around 250 electricity and gas engineers, emergency repair and maintenance, contracting, metering, street lighting and administrative staff. They have now all been brought under one roof in Dundee.

Previously, power teams from across the two businesses were based at various locations across the city, so the move will foster closer working links with customers and contractors.

SSEPD Head of Operations Rodney Grubb said: “The teams are delighted with this new modern depot, and with GBP 4.5million invested in the building, combined with our plans for the electricity and gas network in the forthcoming year, this investment reinforces our company's commitment to Dundee.

“We now have scope for expansion and opportunities for future employment as well as securing current positions. We now wish to promote our business while providing the highest standards of service and safety to customers in the coming years.”

Gary Barnes SGN's Director of Corporate Services said: “We're delighted with this new modern depot which underlines our plans to invest in the local gas network in the forthcoming year. Sharing this facility with our sister company SSEPD is good news for our stakeholders, good news for our customers and employees, and good news for the city of Dundee.”

Lord Provost Bob Duncan said: “The work of SSEPD and SGN is one of the city's best kept secrets. I'm very pleased to see the commitment of both companies to the city of Dundee. The building is a fantastic facility and I wish both companies happy times ahead in this new office. I've learnt today that's there a lot of good work going on here and I'm delighted to declare the Dundee depot open.”

Over the next 12 months SSEPD is investing over GBP 5million in the local electricity network in Dundee to ensure a safe and reliable supply to customers in the region.

Sister company Scotland Gas Networks, the company responsible for distributing gas to the city, will invest GBP 5million across its area of operation upgrading the gas network, including ?1.6million in the city of Dundee.